I will be running in the Shakespeare Half Marathon in Stratford upon Avon on 12th November to fundraise for work I would like to do with refugees over the next 2 years.

First of all I would like to raise money to contribute to travel, accommodation and food for what will hopefully be the first of many such trips to volunteer at Oinofyta, a refugee camp near Athens. I am leaving on 30th November, for 2 weeks. The camp is run by the NGO Do Your Part, which has done some amazing work.

I would also like to raise money for the training courses I have been advised to complete by the charity Atlantic Pacific, so that I can volunteer with search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean. These include the National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification, RYA powerboat Level 2 and VHF Radio licence.

I have decided that I want to spend some of my 2 (or more) years out before I go to University helping - albeit in very small way - with the refugee crisis. I have been angered and saddened by how little the majority of Europe seems to care about the lives of so many fleeing the horrors of war who are in desperate need. Whilst I would like to change both Britain and the rest of Europe’s response to the refugee crisis completely I cannot do that (yet), so this will have to do for now.

The target that I have set does not cover the whole cost of this but I will cover the remainder. I am also aware that the target is rather large and I don't really expect it to be met fully, but any contribution at all will be greatly appreciated and very gratefully received.

In the unlikely event of the target being surpassed any extra will be spent on future trips to work with and help refugees as I hope to do as much of this as I can.

Thank you